Thermoelectric generator and pilot burner assembly



April 27, 1954 c, BlGGLE 2,677,004

THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR AND PILOT BURNER ASSEMBLY Filed July 20, 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

By .7 I I AQTTKZQIJEF/ April 27, 1954 c. BIGGLE 2,677,004

THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR AND PILOT BURNER ASSEMBLY Filed July 20, 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 27, 1954 UNITED STATES PAENT OFFICETHERMOELEOTRIG GENERATOR AND PILOT BURNER ASSEMBLY Laurence C. Biggie,Altadena, Calif., assignor to General Controls 00., Glendale, Califl, acorporation of California 7 Claims.

This invention relates to pilot burners for igniting a main burner, andmore particularly to the assembly, with such a burner, of athermoelectric generator.

Generators of thi character, responding to the existence of a flame atthe pilot burner, are now in common use for controlling the flow of fuelto the main burner. These generators include hot and cold junctions ofthermoelectrically dissimilar materials, the hot junctions being heatedby a flame that is in existence only when the pilot flame is lighted. Inorder to multiply the effect of the thermoelectric generator, aplurality of pairs of such couples may be joined in series or parallel.A safety valve structure is so arranged that, when the hot junction orjunctions cool, the valve closes, preventing flow of fuel to the mainburner.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a simple andeffective structure for maintaining the thermoelectric generator inproper operative relation to the pilot flame.

It is another object of this invention to provide a simple, detachablemounting for the pilot burner and the generator with respect to asupporting bracket in order to permit ready inspection, renewal,cleaning, or repairs.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting ense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a pilot burner generatorassembly incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are enlarged sectional views, taken along planescorresponding to lines 3-3, t e, 5-5, and 6-45 of Fig. '1.

In the present instance, a bracket 5 (Figs. 1, 2, and i) is provided forsupporting a pilot burner 2 and a generator 3. This bracket has upperand lower legs 56 and 5'5. A pilot burner 2 is arranged to be placedadjacent a main burner for the purpose of igniting it whenever fuel ispassed to the main burner. For this purpose, the pilot burner structurehas an upper head l provided with diametrically opposite jet openings 5,or other types of openings, from which a flame may issue.

The tubular head 4 forms an extension of a lower tubular member 6. Nearthe bottom of this lower tubular member 6, a fuel inlet jet structure 7is provided. This jet structure is telescoped within the lower end ofthe tube 6. The jet structure l carries a threaded extension 8 forconnection to a source of gaseous fuel. This extension also has ahexagonal portion 9.

Air for providing a combustible fuel mixture is supplied through a pairof radial apertures in (Figs. 1 and 4) disposed at about the exit end ofthe jet structure 7. These apertures it may be controll d by an airshutter ring II. This air shutter ring I i is provided with aperturescapable of being aligned with aperture l0. However, by angularlypositioning the ring H about the axis of the tube 6, the extent ofopening of the apertures It may be controlled. As shown most clearly inFig. 4, ring I I is slit at E2 and is made of spring material in orderthat, in this way, it may be sprung into the annular groove providedaround the tube 6.

ihe air and fuel are mixed within tube 6 a they rise through the narrowportion 46 of the tube 6.

The bracket l is shown as welded to a strap support I4 having a narrowflange l5 (Figs. 1 and 6). The strap is is provided with appropriatemeans for attaching it to a stationary support, as for example, thethreaded apertures 18. The edge of the flange I 5 restrains turning ofthe threaded extension 8 by contacting a flat face of the hexagon Q.Accordingly, a gas connection can be quite readily made to the jetstructure 7.

The bracket 5 may, if desired, serve as a support for a metal air screen[6. This metal air screen is shown to best advantage in Fig. 4. It hasinwardly directed portions ll contacting the inner surfaces of the legs56 and 51 of the bracket I.

The tubular member 6 passes freely through an aperture is in the upperleg 56 of the bracket 1. The lower portion of the tubular member 6 has aflat portion 26 (Fig. 6) to correspond with the shape of an aperture 2!in the lower leg of th bracket 3. This portion forms a shoulder 21(Fig. 1) adapted to rest on the upper surface of leg 55. In this way,the tubular member 6 can be assembled with the bracket in only one way.

The tubular member 6, as well as the jet member l, are detachablysupported by the lower leg 51 of bracket I. For this purpose, thetubular member 5 has an arcuate slot 22 (Fig. 6) which extends throughthe tubular member 6, and is aligned with the annular groove 23 formedin the jet member I. A keying spring lock member 26 (Figs. 1 and 6) hasan arm 25 which passes through the slot 22 and into the annular groove23. Th opposite arm 2% closely embraces the tubular member 6. The member24 is rovided with a downwardly extending handle member 27. The arms 25and 26 are slightly bowed downwardly away from the lower surface of thebracket I. The spring retaining clip 26 has its upper surface in closeproximity to the lower surface of the bracket I. Due to the bowedconfiguration of the arms 25 and 26, the tubular member 6 is urgeddownwardly until the shoulder 2'! (Fig. 1) contacts the upper surface ofthe lower arm of bracket I.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the arm 25 of the retaining clip 24 hasan inwardly projecting inner edge 29 that is engaged between the sidesof the annular groove 23 in the jet member 1. Furthermore, the handlemember 27 for the manipulation of this spring clip 2 is angularlyarranged to place it in a convenient position for manipulation by anoperator. The clip has sufiicient inherent resiliency to be snapped intoand out of engaging position.

An auxiliary burner structure is provided for heating the uppercylindrical controller 36 of th pilot gas burner. This upper cylindricalend is in the form of a metallic sheath through which heat may betransmitted in a well understood manner to the hot junctions of thethermocouples within the generator 3. Such a generator is described inPatent No. 2,407,517, issued September 10, 19 56, to William A. Ray.

The burner, in this instance, includes an annular member 3i throughwhich the cylindrical member 30 may readily project. This annular memberhas an inwardly directed arcuate flange 3! provided with radial slots33. These radial slots 33 define, with the exterior cylindrical surfaceof the member 36, a series of jet openings.

Th member 3! is provided with a hollow extension 34 (Fig. 1). Thishollow extension has a downwardly directed edge or flang 35 (Fig. 3).Telescoped within this edge 35 is the upwardly turned edge 58 of a lowermember 36 (see, also, Fig. 5). These telescoping edges form a completeperimeter for the upper and lower members 34 and 36. They thus define afuel passage 31 which is in communication with the interior of thetubular pilot burner Z in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The extension 34 and the member 36 are welded toegther at spotsindicated by the heavy lines 38 in Fig. 5 and by the cross 38 in Fig. 1.Furthermore, a lower hub member 39 is formed integrally with the member36 for telescoping over th tubular portion 30 of the pilot generator 3.The extension as is furthermore joined to the lower member 36 by theupset portions M5 and Mia (Fig. 5) formed in the extension 34 of thelower member 36. The parts 3|, 3%, and 36 thus constitute the auxiliaryburner for the generator 3.

Members 3 and 36 are interposed between the upper tubular head 4 and thelower tubular member 6. The tubular member i is welded, as indicated byreference character 4 I to the upper surface of the extension 34. Thelower surface of the member 35 is similarly welded, as indicated byreference character Mo, to the upper end of the tube 6.

Through apertures 42 and 43 (Figs. 1 and are disposed in the extension34 and in the memher 36. In this way, fuel can pass from the jet lupwardly into the hollow head 6, as well as through the passageway 31!,to the auxiliary burner 3i. Furthermore, in order to deflect the fuelfrom the inner mixing chamber formed in the tubular member 8 through theextension 33, the edge of the aperture 43 may be raised to define adeflector 45. Accordingly, the fuel mixture obtained above therestricted passage 46 in the tubular member 6 passes partially to theauxiliary burner 3| and partially through the apertures 33 and 42 to theburner top 4.

Ignition of burner gas at the slots 33 of the auxiliary burner iseffected by passage of fuel through the slot 55 (Fig. 1) from the jetopening 5 of the pilot burner 2.

The pilot generator 3 is shown as having a shoulder 41 (Figs. 1 and l)which may be passed through a clearance aperture 48 in the lower leg 51of bracket i. A spring clip 59, similar in structure to spring clip 24,has forked, bowed arms 50 embracing the lower portion 5| of the pilotgenerator 3. The arms 5 urge the pilot generator upwardly against thelower shoulder 52 of the auxiliary burner 3|. A handle 59 formanipulating clip 49 is provided. For convenience of operation, the clip49 may be placed at any desired angle with respect to the axis ofgenerator 3, so as to bring handle 59 to a manipulable position.

Renewal or removal of the pilot generator 3 is readily effected byremoving the spring clip t9 and withdrawing the pilot generator from theauxiliary burner 3l3436 and through the opening 48.

The pilot burner structure 2 can be similarly independently removed byremoving clip 24 and moving the tubular member 6 upwardly, andcorrespondingly moving the annular member 3| upwardly off the pilotgenerator 3. The jet member 3 is freed from the lower end of tubularmember 6 when the spring clip 24 is removed and, therefore, does notprevent upward movement of the tubular member 6 with the associatedauxiliary burner structure.

The inventor claims:

1. In a pilot burner generator assembly: a bracket; a generatorsupported by the bracket; a pilot burner also supported by the bracket,said pilot burner having means forming. a fluid passageway; an auxiliaryburner for the generator mounted on the pilot burner for heating thegenerator; and an extension for the auxiliary burner :carried by thepilot burner intersecting said fluid passageway and forming an auxiliarygas passage from the pilot burner passageway to the auxiliary burner.

2. In a pilot burner generator assembly: a bracket; a generatorsupported by the bracket; a pilot burner also supported by the bracket,said pilot burner having means forming a fluid passageway; an auxiliaryburner for the genera tor mounted on the pilot burner for heating thegenerator; and means intersecting said fluid passageway and forming anauxiliary gas passage between the auxiliary burner and the pilot burnerpassageway, said means including a deflector located in said pilotburner passageway.

3. In a pilot burner generator assembly: a bracket; said bracket havinga pair of through apertures; a generator detachably mounted in one ofthe apertures; a pilot burner detachably mounted in the other aperture,said pilot burner hav ng means forming a fluid passageway; an auxiliaryburner carried by the pilot burner for heating the generator; and meansintersecting said fluid passageway forming an auxiliary gas passage fromthe pilot burner passageway to the auxiliary burner.

4. In a pilot burner generator assembly: a bracket; said bracket havinga pair of through apertures; a tubular generator passing through one ofthe apertures, and having a shoulder adjacent the edge of the said oneaperture; a spring clip engaging the shoulder for detachably connectingthe generator to the bracket; a pilot burner passing through the otheraperture, and having a shoulder adjacent the edge of said otheraperture; said pilot burner having means forming a fiuid passageway; aspring clip engaging the shoulder of the pilot burner for detachablyconnecting the pilot burner to the bracket; an auxiliary burner havingmeans forming a through port substantially aligned with said oneaperture, said generator being .guidingly received in said port formingmeans, said generator defining with said port forming means an annularspace, said port on one side thereof opening around said generator; andmeans mounting said auxiliary burner and defining a gas passage from theinterior of the pilot burner passageway to the annular space, andmounted on the pilot burner.

5. In a pilot burner generator assembly: a pilot burner having meansforming a fluid passageway; a hollow member attached to the pilotburner, said member at one end intersecting said fluid passageway toform an auxiliary passageway, said member having a through port at theother end in fluid communication with said one end; a pilot generatorextending through the port, there being an annular space around saidgenerator formed by said hollow member and said generator respectively;and means detachably securing said generator to said pilot burner.

6. In a pilot burner generator assembly: a pilot burner having meansforming a fluid passageway; a hollow member extending transversely ofsaid pilot burner, and extending into said fluid passageway; said memberhaving means forming an opening thereto from said passageway, saidmember also having a deflector for guiding fuel from said passagewayinto said hollow memher said member having a through port at a place onsaid member exterior of said pilot burner; a pilot generator extendingthrough the port, there being an annular space around said generatorformed by said hollow member and said generator respectively, saidannular space communicating with said opening forming means; and meansdetachably securing said generator to said burner, said generator beingotherwise slidable through said port.

7 In a pilot burner generator assembly: a substantially U-shaped brackethaving a first pair of aligned apertures through the legs of saidbracket, and a second pair of aligned apertures through the legs of saidbracket; an elongate generator extending through said first pair ofapertures, at least one of the apertures of said first pair guidinglyreceiving said generator; clip means detachably mounting said generatorto said bracket; an elongate pilot burner extending through said secondpair of apertures, at least one of the apertures of said second pairguidingly receiving said pilot burner; said pilot burner having a fluidpassageway; means detachably mounting said pilot burner to said bracket;and a hollow member attached to the pilot burner, said member at one endintersecting said fluid passageway to form an auxiliary passageway, saidmember having means forming a through port at the other end in fluidcommunication with said one end, said port being substantially alignedwith said first pair of apertures; said generator extending through saidport forming means, said generator being movable out of engagement fromsaid member upon detachment of said generator from said bracket, saidport forming means defining an annular space around said generator, saidspace opening on one side of said port around said generator to form anauxiliary burner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,268,959 Ray Jan. 6, 1942 2,305,585 Alfery Dec. 22, 19422,355,216 Guelson Aug. 8, 1944 2,407,517 Ray Sept. 10, 1946 2,526,112Biggle Oct. 17, 1950

